Messages - coquita

I got a job with the feds doing legal work but not practicing. All of my coworkers in the same position and my supervisors are attorneys and legal analysis is my main job duty. However, it is a temporary one year position and I can't count it as experience practicing law. So I think I will keep looking for jobs after I take a month or so break from the search. However, it seems that permanent positions in my department open up frequently and they like to move current employees into them so I hope I can get a permanent position before my term ends.

Well, I got rejected from that job I interviewed for and really wanted. Though things are looking up now... I just got re-hired as a Law Clerk at the firm I worked for before 3L. It doesnt pay much, but at least its SOMETHING. I dont want to become an actual attorney for the firm though, as I hate family law and they focus on family law. I'm just going to keep applying and work this crappy job until something pops! Good luck to everyone and dont give up hope!

West coast or in IL? If it's on the West Coast, I think it's very possible you got hired at the place I interviewed at. That would be hilarious.

So after looking for jobs, I got an interview with an attorney that has a horrible reputation in her field. Then I was contacted by an attorney from another firm (bankruptcy) for an interview. I checked his bar records and he had to resign under charges and finding of misconduct in 1996 (committed fraud and went to jail) and was inactive until this year (when he decided to work in bankruptcy and loan modifications. Ergh. I am just hoping to get a job with a reputable attorney at this point...

Yeah, my husband and I decided it was not worth it, because it would be a "better than nothing" type of job. I had an interview with a small firm this week, and just applied to an opening at another small firm. I agree that maybe things will pick up, but I would like for it to happen before I use all of my deferment months.

Ann Mary, I might get slaughtered for saying this but here goes. I am a Latina who just graduated from law school in the top 12% of my class. This is my advice. If you are the sole breadwinner for your son, do NOT go to law school unless you get a full scholarship. Otherwise you could be putting your financial situation for your family at risk. I graduated from undergrad with honors, and graduated from a strong regional school (tier I). However, given the bad job market, I am unemployed and so is everyone else I know who graduated from my school. Students that worked for federal judges and were editor of law review are still looking for jobs. With your son I don't know if that's a risk you want to take right now, at least until the legal market improves if ever. I know this seems harsh but I am just trying to give some warning from the other side, I wish I had gotten this advice. Another option is to pay your way through while going to school part-time.

Now for getting in, you may have problems with this. You may have to disclose the misdemeanor on your law school applications, which may be a barrier. Also with your low GPA, it seems like it will be hard for you to get into anything but a lower ranked school even if you get high LSAT scores. And as I said before, people from strong schools are unemployed in this market. Also be aware that if you do get in school, as soon as you get in, you should talk to someone at your state bar to see if you will have any problems with their moral character requirements because of your misdemeanor. I know someone who got into my school in CA, passed the bar, and then was denied admission to the bar because of their convictions. Let me know what you think...and good luck regardless of what you decide to do!

I am in the same quandry. I just got told by my brother-in-law that an associate position is mine at the firm he worked with if I wanted it. However, it is 150 miles away, so I would need to live away from my husband for awhile until it was economically feasible for him to move (he has a job where we live now). Also my brother-in-law would be my supervisor. And finally, the firm he works for is one of those with an attorney that appears on TV. I am worried that once the economy picks up, it would be hard for me to move back into what I want to do with that on my resume. Thoughts?

P.S. - my husband is making enough for us to survive on while I defer my loans...but it is tight. I am working for a government office, who still hasn't heard whether they have the funds to hire any attorneys or not. Help!

I graduated either in the top 10% or 15% of my class (will know for certain in August when rankings are up). I don't have a permanent job, but have a post-bar internship with a small chance of being hired because of gov't cutbacks. Yes it sucks, just don't let it get you down now. Treat Barbri like school and just push through it and worry about jobs after the bar. Networking really does help. I met someone at get together this weekend that said they would work on getting me placed somewhere if I don't get an offer after my internship. No resume or anything, just a family friend of my husband. That is how things work in this economy.

After the bar (emphasis on after)...use your family and friends to get some connections, and have them spread the word about you.."Oh my ___ just graduated from law school and did really well and is looking for a job after the bar." That definitely can get some interest in you. It has helped me in the past, and is how I got my internship my current internship. I told my summer employer that I was interested in a post-bar internship with an government office and had applied, they saw them at a job fair and gushed about me to them. Got the internship after a 10 minute interview. Networking is definitely important.

- 9 to 5? that seems like too short of time to spend studying because Barbri suggests studying 8 hours + lectures, and PMBR gave us a schedule to study until 10 p.m. Did you alter this, and did it work?

- How many essays should you do per subject during review? As many as assigned? or more?

Right now I am doing morning class then from 1-5 MBE, then Essays, and then writing flashcards from notes if until 11 p.m. Is this too much? It is the suggested schedule but seems like a good way to burn out.

I am studying for the CA exam, if anyone would like to send me some tips on schedules etc. I would REALLY appreciate it. Oh and we only have like 10 days between Barbri ending and the bar. BARF.